AER3010 : Aerospace Engineering Project
- Inactive for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Shaheer Zubairi
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 220 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 15.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This individual aerospace engineering project enables students to bring together the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours developed across their degree programme. Working with an academic supervisor, and where appropriate with industrially relevant themes, students investigate a defined engineering problem through design, analysis, simulation, computation or experimental study.
The module provides students with the opportunity to develop independence as engineers by planning and managing a substantial project, applying technical judgement, evaluating evidence and communicating their findings to a professional standard. Projects may include the use of flight simulation to inform design decisions and support the evaluation of engineering solutions.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will typically include:
1. Selection and scoping of an individual aerospace engineering project topic.
2. Definition of project objectives, deliverables and success criteria.
3. Project planning, time management and resource coordination.
4. Literature, technical information and data review.
5. Application of relevant engineering science, mathematics, computing or design principles.
6. Use of appropriate analysis, simulation, computation, design or experimental methods.
7. Interpretation of technical findings, including assumptions, limitations and uncertainty.
8. Development and justification of engineering decisions.
9. Preparation of an interim report and final technical dissertation/report.
10. Oral presentation and professional communication of project outcomes.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Formative project proposal preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Final Demonstration preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Sessions covering project selection, project management, reporting and research techniques, presentation skills |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Technical Report preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Poster presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Searching and reading background material and publications |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Poster design and preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 22 | 2:00 | 44:00 | Non-timetabled design |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative oral presentation preparation (delivery in final Semester 1 supervision meeting) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Final Demonstration presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Flight simulation use and application |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Supervision sessions organised and led by students |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 119:00 | 119:00 | Target non-timetable hours to complete coursework assignment submission |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Module briefings (Semester 1 & 2) |
| Total | 300:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module is delivered through an individual, supervisor-supported project model appropriate for a Level 6 capstone project. Regular supervision helps students define objectives, plan and manage the project, select suitable technical methods, review progress and respond to feedback. This supports outcomes relating to project management, technical knowledge, engineering analysis, decision-making and professional communication.
Student-led independent learning is central to the module. Students investigate a defined aerospace engineering topic through literature review, technical information gathering and, where appropriate, design, simulation, computation, analysis or experimental work. This enables them to apply engineering principles, evaluate evidence, interpret findings and recognise assumptions, limitations and uncertainty.
Formative feedback through supervision and the interim report supports objective setting, planning, literature/context review and justification of the proposed approach. The final report assesses students’ ability to apply appropriate engineering methods, evaluate evidence and communicate justified technical conclusions. The oral presentation assesses technical understanding, project achievement and the ability to explain and defend engineering decisions.
Together, these teaching methods support the development of independent engineering practice and align directly with the module’s knowledge and skills outcomes.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 30 | 2 | M | 25 | 30 minute final demonstration |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 2 | M | 15 | Poster as part of the annual Aerospace poster fair |
| Report | 2 | M | 60 | 6000 word technical report |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | Initial demonstration, formative feedback will be given to students to identify any issues |
| Essay | 1 | M | Research proposal - 2 page written proposal and plan for project. Formative feedback will be given to identify any issues |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students are assessed individually for their performance of a significant engineering task.
The interim report places emphasis on project planning, objectives, literature/context review, communication and the justification of the proposed technical approach.
The final report assessment focuses on the ability to apply appropriate engineering knowledge, analysis, design methods, simulation, computation or experimental techniques; evaluate evidence; recognise assumptions, limitations and uncertainty; and communicate justified technical conclusions.
The oral presentation prioritises technical understanding, project achievement, professional communication and the ability to explain and defend engineering decisions.
Together, the interim report, final report and oral presentation provide evidence of the student’s ability to manage an individual engineering project, apply relevant engineering principles, evaluate technical information, use appropriate methods and communicate professionally.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- AER3010's Timetable